Donation protected
Hello, my name is Marlene Kaufman and I am the mother of a Type 1 diabetic child. I met Michelle Burrow and her family through the online diabetic community for Type 1 children. Since then we have developed a strong bond and friendship as have our children grown to rely on one another and become the best of "dia buddies".
The Burrow family is complete with 4 amazing children, Kara 18 years, Ella 17 years, Owen 9 years and Gemma 7years of age. Within the past 4 years all three of their girls have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that is chronic and life threatening and only affects approx.5% of all diabetics. Their own immune system mistakenly kills the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin thereby making them unable to produce enough insulin themselves to sustain life.
Kara has excelled academically and has earned a spot in a very competitive program and has been given this wonderful opportunity to continue her education and post secondary studies. However, this opportunity comes at a distance from her family and is located approx. 4 hours North of home. Being newly diagnosed and hypoglycemia unaware means that Kara is unable to recognize when she is experiencing blood sugar changes particularity a low blood sugar. Symptoms of a low blood sugar can include shakiness, disorientation, vision problems, seizures and ultimately death. With Kara being away from home and independent the biggest risk lies at night when she is sleeping. There is a recognized condition for Type 1's and its called Dead in Bed Syndrome. As you can imagine this is any parents worst fear and unfortunately all too common for parents of diabetic children. The statistics of Dead in Bed Syndrome are staggering and almost double for children who are away from home at College or University.
Kara has had a rare opportunity to adopt a service dog named Murphy from Medical Sniffer Dogs incorporated. Medical Sniffer Dogs is owned and operated by Christine Einboden. Medical Alert dogs typically run in the $20,000 range however Murphy is being rehomed for a second time due to unforeseen circumstances of the original family he was placed with and therefore is being offered to Kara at a reduced rate of $8,500. Murphy will accompany Kara in September of this year on her next adventure in life away from home and will reside in student residence with her. As a certified service dog Murphy will have full public access and accompany Kara everywhere and remain at her side at all times ready to assist her. Murphy is trained on the scent of his handler (Kara) and will mitigate symptoms of her medical condition and alert her to an impending medical emergency.
In the contract for Murphy as a fully trained medical alert service dog includes:
- basic obedience
- public access and customized scent alert training
- team public access training and certification
- support for the duration of the partnership
- up to date vaccinations, neuter
- CKC registration, transfer of ownership of the dog
Typically the wait for a medical alert service dog is approx.2 years, due to this rare opportunity to receive Murphy, Kara and her family are looking to raise the funds in a short amount of time over the summer months.
Thank you in advance for your support, I will continue to post updates as Kara and Murphy develop as a partnership. I want to take this opportunity to wish Kara the best of luck in this new chapter in her life as she pursues her dreams and continues her post secondary education in nursing.
The Burrow family is complete with 4 amazing children, Kara 18 years, Ella 17 years, Owen 9 years and Gemma 7years of age. Within the past 4 years all three of their girls have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that is chronic and life threatening and only affects approx.5% of all diabetics. Their own immune system mistakenly kills the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin thereby making them unable to produce enough insulin themselves to sustain life.
Kara has excelled academically and has earned a spot in a very competitive program and has been given this wonderful opportunity to continue her education and post secondary studies. However, this opportunity comes at a distance from her family and is located approx. 4 hours North of home. Being newly diagnosed and hypoglycemia unaware means that Kara is unable to recognize when she is experiencing blood sugar changes particularity a low blood sugar. Symptoms of a low blood sugar can include shakiness, disorientation, vision problems, seizures and ultimately death. With Kara being away from home and independent the biggest risk lies at night when she is sleeping. There is a recognized condition for Type 1's and its called Dead in Bed Syndrome. As you can imagine this is any parents worst fear and unfortunately all too common for parents of diabetic children. The statistics of Dead in Bed Syndrome are staggering and almost double for children who are away from home at College or University.
Kara has had a rare opportunity to adopt a service dog named Murphy from Medical Sniffer Dogs incorporated. Medical Sniffer Dogs is owned and operated by Christine Einboden. Medical Alert dogs typically run in the $20,000 range however Murphy is being rehomed for a second time due to unforeseen circumstances of the original family he was placed with and therefore is being offered to Kara at a reduced rate of $8,500. Murphy will accompany Kara in September of this year on her next adventure in life away from home and will reside in student residence with her. As a certified service dog Murphy will have full public access and accompany Kara everywhere and remain at her side at all times ready to assist her. Murphy is trained on the scent of his handler (Kara) and will mitigate symptoms of her medical condition and alert her to an impending medical emergency.
In the contract for Murphy as a fully trained medical alert service dog includes:
- basic obedience
- public access and customized scent alert training
- team public access training and certification
- support for the duration of the partnership
- up to date vaccinations, neuter
- CKC registration, transfer of ownership of the dog
Typically the wait for a medical alert service dog is approx.2 years, due to this rare opportunity to receive Murphy, Kara and her family are looking to raise the funds in a short amount of time over the summer months.
Thank you in advance for your support, I will continue to post updates as Kara and Murphy develop as a partnership. I want to take this opportunity to wish Kara the best of luck in this new chapter in her life as she pursues her dreams and continues her post secondary education in nursing.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jason Kaufman
Organizer
Barrie, ON
Michelle Burrow
Beneficiary